Guides for bolsters in horizontal presses

ABSTRACT

IN THE GUIDES FOR BOLSTERS, A SUPPORT BLOCK IS IN SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH A STRAIN ROD AND A PAIR OF KEEPER PLATES ARE SECURED TO ADJACENT OPPOSITE FACES OF THE SUPPORT BLOCK AND ENCOMPASS THE STRAIN ROD. A SUPPORT MEMBER IS RECEIVED BETWEEN PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF THE OPPOSED KEEPER PLATES AND HAS AN EXTENSION PROTURDING THEREFROM SECURED TO A SUPPORTING THE BOLSTER, WHILE THE BOLSTER ITSELF IS POSITIONED IN FLOATING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE KEEPER PLATES, A PLURALITY OF SUPPORT BLOCK ASSEMBLIES BEING PROVIDED.

Oct. 12, 1971 H. A.TR|SHMAN 3,611,496

GUIDES FOR BOLSTERS IN HORIZONTAL PRESSBS Filed April 23, 1969 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HARRY A.TR|SHMAN W 2 w m,

ATTORNEYS Oct. 12, 1971 TR|$HMAN 3,611,496

GUIDES FOR BOLSTERS IN HORIZONTAL PRESSES Filed April 25, 1969 2Sheets-Sheet 2 HARRY A.TR|SH MAN ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent US. Cl. 18-16 a 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE In the guides for bolsters, a support block is in slidableengagement with a strain rod and a pair of keeper plates are secured toadjacent opposite faces of the support block and encompass the strainrod. A support member is received between peripheral portions of theopposed keeper plates and has an extension protruding therefrom securedto and supporting the bolster, while the bolster itself is positioned infloating relationship between the keeper plates, a plurality of supportblock assemblies being provided.

The present invention particularly relates to horizontal presses andespecially to an improved bolster guide or means for use in securing avertically positioned bolster in temperature compensating relation tothe strain rods for slidably positioning the bolster and load carriedthereby on the strain rods.

Heretofore it always has been a problem to position the relatively heavybolsters in horizontal presses on the horizontally extending strain rodsof the presses so that the bolster and the support bushings or othermeans used to attach the bolster to the strain rods will compensate fortemperature variations and consequent size changes of the bolster whenin use.

The general object of the present invention is to provide novel andimproved bolster guides and assemblies for securing bolstersoperationally to horizontally positioned presses.

Another object of the invention is to use a pair of keeper plates and asupport block in association with a bolster for positioning the same ina horizontal press in an automatically adjustable temperaturecompensating manner.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a pair of improved,durable, bolster guide and support means for positioning relativelyheavy bolster plates in heavy or massive horizontally positioned pressesin substantial equal load relationship on all four strain rods of thepress.

Another object of the invention is to position a movable bolster and anymold section carried thereby in accurate relation to any cooperatingmold section on a fixed portion of the press, and to maintain thebolster in a predetermined accurate position in relation to fixedportions of the press with temperature changes in the press.

Other objects of the invention will be made apparent as thespecification proceeds.

Attention now is directed to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of one side of a horizontallypositioned press, bolster and associated bolster support means embodyingthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of a lower bolster guide assembly taken online 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of a modification of the invention.-

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

With reference to the details of the structure shown in Patented Oct.12, 1971 the accompanying drawings, a portion of a horizontallypositioned press is indicated by the number 10. This press 10 includes aplurality of horizontally positioned strain rods 11 and 12 on which abolster 13 is slidably positioned all in accordance with conventionalhorizontal press construction. As the construction of both sides of thepress are identical in reverse to each other only the left side of thepress is shown. The bolster is adapted to have a mold or platen of anytype and mold means (not shown) secured thereto and insulated therefromin a conventional manner while also a ram (not shown) also normally issecured to and extends from the bolster 13 for association with asuitable cylinder means whereby movement of the bolster 13 on the strainrods 11 and 12 would be provided in accordance with conventionalpractice.

The present invention particularly relates to the novel constructionused for positioning the weight or load of the relatively heavy bolsterplate 13 and associated means on the upper and lower strain rods 11 and12 so as to maintain the bolster centered in the press under varyingtemperatures. Usually two lower strain rods are used in the press.Details of the particular bolster assembly and support guides of theinvention are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a support block 14 is shownpositioned on the strain rod 11 as by conventional bronze bushing 15suitably operatively secured to a bore formed in and extending throughthe support block 14. The support block 14 has a pair of keeper plates16 and 17 individually associated with and positioned on opposite facesor surfaces of the support block 14. The keeper plates 16 and 17encompass the strain rod 11 but have peripheral portions protrudingbeyond the support block, as hereinafter described in more detail. FIG.2 of the drawings best shows that a peripheral portion of the bolster 13is received between peripheral sections 16a and 17a of the keeper plates16 and 17 to be adjustably positioned therebetween, as describedhereinafter.

As another element of the bolster assembly of the invention, otherperipheral sections 16b and 17b of the keeper plates have a supportmember, or an arm 20 adjustably received therebetween, and positionedthereby.

It should be noted that normally the support block 14 has a slightlygreater thickness than the bolster 13, such as at least about .001 to.003 of an inch so that when any suitable means, such cap screws 30 orequivalent anchoring means are brought into engagement with suitabletapped bores or equivalent anchor means 31 formed in or positioned inopposite face portions of the support block 14, the keeper plates 16 and17 will effectively be positioned adjacent opposed peripheral portionsof the bolster 13 and will also locate the support member or arm 20 inthe position as shown, clearance also being provided for such supportmember 20.

It will be seen that at the support 20 is of angular shaped and that ithas a vertically upwardly extending section 21 provided thereon. Suchsection 21 is adapted to extend to and engage a shoulder 22 formed on aside edge portion of the bolster 13 whereby a part of the load or weightof the bolster itself and any means or members supported thereby iseffectively transferred to the support 20 through the section 21thereof. In addition,.a shim 50 is positioned between the edge of thebolster and the section 21. Cap-screws 51 secure the support arm section21 to the bolster 13.

Initially the bolster 13 is centered in the press 10 by placing thepress, during assembly, with the strain rods extending vertically. Thenthe bolster 13 is placed horizontally on a fixed press section, such asthe head plate, and the bolster is centered in the press by use ofsuitable shims 50' on the lower strain rods in conjunction with similarshims in the support block assemblies at the upper strain rods 12.Substantially uniform load support on 3 all strain rods is provided bythis centering action and the special bolster support assemblies.

The drawings indicate that complementary angled fiat surfaces 23 and 24are formed on the contacting faces of the support 20 and of the supportblock 14, respectively. These flat surfaces 23 and 24 are in engagementor register with each other and the necessary sliding action can occurbetween these faces during operative use of the press 10 depending uponchanging temperature conditions on the bolster and expansion andcontraction thereof so as to maintain the bolster in a centeredposition.

In all events, the novel and improved support members 20 provide forengagement with opposed peripheral portions of the bolster 13 to carrysome of the weight thereon and transmit it to the strain rods by thesupport blocks provided in the bolster assembly of the invention as thesurfaces 23 and 24 remain in automatically adjustable sliding engagementwith each other even with expansion and contraction of the bolster.

The upper bolster assembly for the bolster 13 is shown and in general,such assembly comprises a support block 40, like the support block 14,and which has a pair of vertically positioned, opposed keeper plates,only one of which, 41 is shown in the drawings in clamped engagementwith such support block 40 so as to secure a support member or arm 42 inposition relating thereto. These keeper plates 41 are positioned withclearance to the bolster and clamped to the support block 40 by aplurality of cap screws or equivalent known anchor members 43 in thesame manner previously described. In this instance, however, the support42 has one vertically extending face or surface 44 provided thereonwhich is in sliding engagement with a vertically extending peripheralportion or edge 45 provided on an upper corner part of the bolster 13whereby adjustment of the position of the bolster 13 with relation tothe support 42 may occur. Capscrews 52 secure the support 42 to thebolster. The support 42 has a flat surface 46 thereon that iscomplementary to and formed at the same angle as a fiat surface 47 onthe support block of 40 so that expansion and contraction of the bolster13 can be compensated for under different temperature conditions ofoperation of the press 10 by continuing sliding engagement of suchsurfaces. However, the vertically extending faces 44 and 45 are retainedin engagement with each other to aid in retaining the bolster incentered, operative position. Any arcuate or turning movement of thebolster is prevented by the supports 42 engaging opposed upper edges ofthe bolster. A shim 51, like the shim 50, is used in initially centeringthe bolster in the press.

The slidably engaged flat surfaces 23 and 24 provided on opposite lowerguide assemblies of this invention and the surfaces 46 and 47 defineconverging planes which intersect at the center axis of the press 10. Ina particular press of the invention, the surfaces 23 and 24 formed anangle of a of 46 48 to a vertical plane and the surfaces 46 and 47 wereat an angle of b of 34 32' to the vertical. However, all presses ofdiiferent size would require different angles of support to have theplanes of support intersect at the center of the press for automatictemperature compensating positioning action.

In use, the press 10, while still considered a horizontal press,frequently is provided with a pivotal mount at one end of the press toenable the press to be tilted to have its longitudinal axis at an angleof from about to about 20 to a horizontal plane. Such tilt facilitatesthe molding of articles in the press with a minimum of air entrapped inthe molds.

It will be noted that the bushing 15 is elongate to form good supportcontact with the strain rods.

Two parallel cylinders (not shown) may be used to move the bolster 13 toaid in maintaining it parallel to fixed platens or head plates of thepress.

Naturally suitable clearance is provided between the bolster 13 and thesupports 14 and 40 to enable the bolster to expand and contract freelyand to shift the support members 20 and 42 relative to the slidesupports 14 and 40 and provide a floating support for the bolster.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of a press 10a of the metal frame plate typewhich has the same self-adjusting action as the press 10. A side plateis provided that has flat supporting surfaces 24a and 47a formed on asupport bar 61 and on an upper edge portion of the side plate,respectively. The support bar 61 is of any suitable construction and isshown attached to and extending along the side plate as by capscrews 62.

Bolster 13a has a shim 50a between it and an angled support device 63secured to the bolster. The support device 63 is secured to the bolster13a by capscrews or the like and it has a downwardly and outwardlyinclined end section 64 that has a flat surface 23a thereon slidablyengaging the surface 2411.

An upper angled support device 42a is suitably attached to an uppercorner of the bolster and extends therefrom to provide a flat surface46a to engage the surface 47a.

A shim 51a is also used in positioning the bolster 13a and a supportshoulder 22a on the bolster engages the upper end of the support device63 as in the other embodiment of the press. Hence the bolster is floatedon its four corner supports in the same manner as the bolster 13 forautomatic temperature compensating action to maintain a centeredposition. The flat surfaces 46a, 24a etc. define planes, as before, thatpass through the center axis of the press. From the foregoing, it isbelieved that a novel and Improved horizontally positioned press hasbeen provrded, and particularly that improved bolster guide and/ orassembly means have been furnished in the horizontal press that providesa freely movable bolster which will retain close tolerances in itsposition in the press for good molding action. Thus the objects of theinvention have been achieved.

While two embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, itwill be appreciated that modification may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a horizontally positioned press including horizontally positionedupper and lower strain rods and a vertically positioned bolster havingperipheral portions ad acent the strain rods, a bolster guide,comprising:

a support block slidably engaging a strain rod and havln-g twosubstantially flat side portions, one of the side portions beingadjacent one part of the periph eral portion of the bolster;

a pair of keeper plates on said support block encompassing said strainrod adjacent opposite end faces of said support block and havingperipheral portions protruding beyond said support block;

a support member received between the keeper plates,

contacting the other of the side portions of the support block, andhaving a section extending therefrom in supporting engagement with asecond part of the peripheral portion of the bolster.

2. In a press as in claim 1, where a pair of lower strain rods areprovided, said bolster has downwardly facing shoulders on the sidesthereof, and said support members on said lower strain rods engage saidshoulders to carry part of the weight of said bolster.

3. In a press as in claim 2 Where a pair of upper support blocks areprovided to engage the upper strain rods, a pair of said support membersare positioned by said upper support blocks and slidably engage andguide said bolster by vertically extending surfaces.

4. In a press as in claim 1 where a pair of lower strain rods and a pairof upper strain rods are provided and where a said bolster guide.engages each of saidstrain rods, and all of said support blocks and saidsupport members each having a flat surface thereon directed toward thecenter of the press, said flat surfaces being in sliding engagement witheach other.

5. In a press as in claim 4 where said bolster is centered in said pressby shim means positioned between said bolster and said support members,and said flat surfaces of said support blocks on said upper strain rodsbeing at a different angle to the vertical than said fiat surfaces onsaid support blocks on said lower strain rods.

6. In a horizontally positioned press including horizontally positionedstrain rods including pairs of upper and lower strain rods, a verticallypositioned bolster, and a bolster guide engaging each of said strainrods wherein said bolster guides each comprises a support block andbushing means slidably engaging a said strain rod,

a pair of keeper plates on each support block encompassing a said strainrod adjacent opposite faces of said support block and having peripheralportions protruding beyond said support block,

a support member received between each set of said keeper plates andhaving a section extending there from and secured to a marginal portionof said bolster,

said bolster having a peripheral portion thereof positioned between eachset of said keeper plates, and

said support blocks and said support members each having a fiat surfacethereon, said fiat surfaces being in sliding supporting engagement witheach other to adjust the relative position of said bolster with relationto said support blocks with changes in temperature of said bolster, saidsurfaces lying in planes passing through the center axis of the press.

7. In a press as in claim 6 where said bolster has shoulders formedthereon engaging said support members on said lower strain rods.

8. In a horizontally positioned press including an upper and a lowersupport device positioned on horizontal axes on each side of the press,a vertically positioned bolster, and a bolster guide means on each sideof the press wherein said bolster guide means comprises individual upperand lower support members secured to said bolster adjacent its upper andlower margins at one side thereof, each of said support devices having aflat support surface thereon, the support surface on said upper supportdevice extending downwardly and inwardly of said press, the supportsurface of said lower support device extending upwardly and inwardly ofsaid press,

said upper and lower support members each having a flat supportingsurface thereon oifset from said bolster and complementary to saidsupport surfaces of said upper and lower support devices respectivelyfor sliding support engagement therewith for automatic temperaturecompensation in the positioning of said bolster.

9. A press as in claim 8 where shim means are positioned between saidsupport members and said bolster to center said bolster in said presswhen the press is assembled. ii

10. A press as in claim 8 where said upper and lower support members areof different shapes and have flat surfaces thereon forming differentangles with a vertical plane.

11. A press as in claim 8 where a press frame is provided and saidsupport devices are operatively associated with said frame and extendinglongitudinally thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1947 Land et a1.

1/ 1962 Htillfritsch 18-30 US. Cl. X.R. 18-17H UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 2 611L496 Dated October lzr 1971Inv HalrV A. Irishman It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

C01 3, fine 5L afier'Wower ddmflster-- Signed and sealed this 7th day ofMarch 1972.

( SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 b u 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEI969 0 355-334 FORM PO-105U E10-69J

